"Weight fluctuations can be caused by diet and exercise changes, hormonal imbalances, or underlying medical conditions," Manzi explains. Lifestyle variables including stress, sleep, and drugs can also affect weight.
Short-term weight swings are mainly caused by nutrition, activity, and digestion. Simple fluid retention from a high-carb diet might induce transient weight gain. Yawitz says your body adds three-to-four grams of water for every gram of liver and muscle glucose.
She thinks keto and other low-carb diets produce quick weight reduction because you lose water weight as you burn glycogen.
Other causes of water weight? Salty meals and rigorous weightlifting can promote fluid retention. Yawitz says alcohol is a diuretic, so you may weigh less the morning after a good night out.
Weight fluctuation varies based on individual health and lifestyle, according to Rodríguez Ruiz. The safe weight fluctuation range is one to six pounds. If it's much higher, consult your doctor.
Yawitz adds “thanks to variations in water weight and digestive contents” that might happen within a day. Disbelieve it? After eating too much at the all-you-can-eat, weigh yourself in the morning.
She believes “most people care much more about fat and muscle mass, and changes to those require consistency and time.” “It's understandable to freak out if your weight suddenly increases three pounds overnight, but it's nearly impossible to gain that much fat or muscle so quickly.”
When weight fluctuates fast, consult your doctor to identify causes and health hazards, advises Rodríguez Ruiz. „Your doctor can also help you build a strategy for addressing any underlying disorders or making lifestyle modifications to maintain a steady, healthy weight.”
“It’s great for monitoring long-term weight changes, but don’t overvalue any single weigh-in,” Yawitz adds. To track your weight, stand on the scale every morning or two times a week after using the toilet but before getting dressed.
No need to worry if your average weight stays the same or trends in the right direction. Focus on healthy behaviors like eating protein at every meal and walking 8,000 steps everyday instead of the scale.